Chris Alain Pickleball World Cup Journey: Calgary athlete Chris Alain will represent Canada in the open division of the Pickleball World Cup in Florida this fall. The 21st pick in the 2025 draft, Alain has a Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating (DUPR) of 5.610 and will compete against some of the world’s best players.
From Beginner to World Stage
Chris Alain, who stands 5’9″, began playing pickleball only five years ago but has quickly risen to national prominence.
“It’s a dream come true,”
Alain said of his chance to wear the maple leaf on the world stage. His rapid growth in the sport has made him one of Calgary’s busiest athletes, juggling pro play, national representation, and coaching.
Balancing Pressure and Purpose
Alain admits the journey is not without challenges.
“I do believe that pressure is a bitch,”
He said.
“There’s two parts of that, having belief in yourself and also having people around you that believe in you and the responsibility of being able to inspire this next generation of athletes.”
Training and Giving Back
Along with competing, Alain spends significant time coaching and mentoring new players.
“Coaching for me is all about giving the community,”
He explained.Despite his success, pickleball has yet to become a full-time career in Canada.
“Fortunately, time is limited as pickleball doesn’t pay the bills quite yet in Canada. So I still have my nine to five. Outside of that, it’s a lot of training. You know, my second full-time job is pickleball, and that involves a combination of training and coaching.”
Looking Ahead
Alain’s participation in the World Cup marks a major milestone for both his career and Canadian pickleball. His efforts to compete, coach, and inspire others are helping the sport grow nationwide. Fans will watch closely as he takes on the world’s top players in Florida later this year.
News in Brief: Chris Alain Pickleball World Cup Journey
Calgary’s Chris Alain, a 5’9″ pickleball player with a 5.610 DUPR rating, will represent Canada in the open division of the Pickleball World Cup in Florida this fall. Drafted 21st in 2025, Alain balances a full-time job, pro competition, and coaching as he trains for the biggest tournament of his career.
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